Real Madrid may have Champions League squad handicap as two exits crest horizon | OneFootball

The ‘de-Spanishization’ of Real Madrid has been a minor talking point in the capital over recent months, with Los Blancos on course to start next season with a record low in terms of the number of Spaniards in the squad. It could impact them negatively next season.

UEFA regulations for the Champions League squad require a minimum of eight players that have spent at least three years of their football upbringing (between 15 and 21) spent in Spain, and a minimum of four brought through the club’s ranks. Currently, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga all count towards that rule. With Kepa Arrizabalaga, Nacho Fernandez and Joselu Mato all exiting this summer, Dani Ceballos would be the eighth.

However Ceballos is also considering an exit, and if Alphonso Davies arrives, then Garcia seems likely to be on the way out too. Jesus Vallejo is returning from a loan move at Granada, but is expected to leave. Diario AS point out that if Ceballos does go, then Real Madrid would have to look to Castilla to register a full squad of 25 players for the Champions League next summer.

That could be goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez, or midfielders Mario Martin and Nico Paz. Yet the latter two are also considering their future at the club this summer, with uncertainty over their opportunities next season. They may have to dig deeper into the ranks or perhaps even just use a squad of 24 in Europe. It should be noted that players under 21 that have been trained by the club can play without a registration too.

It is a growing issue for Los Blancos though – Carvajal is now 32 and Vazquez 33. While the likes of Endrick Felipe or potential signing Leny Yoro could eventually end up counting towards that rule, their transfer strategy may have to consider more Spanish players in the coming years, at the very least as rotational options.